{{Short description|Swiss ice hockey player (born 1996)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Kevin Fiala | image = Kevin Fiala (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Fiala with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2015 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|7|22|df=y}} | birth_place = St. Gallen, Switzerland | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 205 | position = Left wing | shoots = Left | league = NHL | team = Los Angeles Kings | former_teams = HV71<br />Nashville Predators<br />Minnesota Wild | ntl_team = CHE | draft = 11th overall | draft_year = 2014 | draft_team = Nashville Predators | career_start = 2013 | career_end = }} '''Kevin Fiala''' (born 22 July 1996) is a Swiss professional ice hockey player who is a left winger for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent one season with the Malmö Redhawks junior team, then joined HV71, splitting a season between their junior team and their senior team in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), being selected by the Nashville Predators 11th overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Fiala started the following season with HV71 before moving to North America halfway through, splitting two seasons between the Predators and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
Internationally Fiala has played for the Swiss national team at several tournaments, both at the junior and senior level, and has appeared in two World Championships.
==Playing career== Fiala played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Swiss Eastern team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-01-02|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later played in various junior leagues in his native Switzerland prior to joining the Swedish club Malmö Redhawks for the 2012–13 season. His time was split between the U18 club in the J18 Elit and J18 Allsvenskan, and the U20 outfit in the J20 SuperElit. Fiala then joined HV71, with whom he debuted for during the 2013 European Trophy.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=5&status=stats | title = HV71 2013–14 player statistics | website = eliteprospects.com | date = 2014-04-15 | accessdate = 2014-04-15}}</ref> Throughout the 2013–14 season, Fiala split time with the HV71 junior team in the J20 SuperElit and the senior team, who played in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was praised by Head Coach Ulf Dahlén for his play following his SHL debut, a 5–4 defeat to Linköpings HC.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/shl/17-aring-stal-rubriker---hyllades-av-ulf-dahlen/ | publisher = expressen.se | title = Fiala hailed by Ulf Dahlen | date = 2013-09-29 | accessdate = 2013-09-29}}</ref> Fiala was a finalist for the SHL's Rookie of the Year award; he finished tying for the lead among all SHL junior (under-18) players for points, with 11.<ref name="Sign">{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-sign-2014-first-round-pick-kevin-fiala/c-726334|title=Nashville Predators sign first round pick Fiala|author=Nashville Predators|date=2014-07-15|website=NHL.com|accessdate=2014-07-15}}</ref> Prior to joining the senior team in the SHL, Fiala had been one of the top scorers in the junior league, with 10 goals and 25 points in 27 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-select-kevin-fiala-with-the-11th-pick-in-the-2014-entry-draft/c-724275|title=Nashville Predators Select Kevin Fiala with the 11th Pick in the 2014 Entry Draft|author=Nashville Predators|date=2014-06-28|website=NHL.com|accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref>
Fiala was ranked as one of the top European prospects for the 2014 NHL entry draft, being considered a top-three player by many scouting services; he ultimately was selected by the Nashville Predators 11th overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/2014-nhl-draft-prospects-profiles-kevin-fiala/c-724121|title=2014 NHL Draft Prospects Profiles: Kevin Fiala|last=Bontorin|first=Matthew|date=2014-06-28|website=NHL.com|accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref> The Predators signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract on 15 July 2014.<ref name="Sign"/>
Fiala initially started the 2014–15 season with HV71. However, in January he was reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. At the time, Fiala had 14 points in 20 games, which was the sixth-most points of all junior players in the SHL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/predators-assign-2014-first-rounder-kevin-fiala-to-milwaukee/c-748877|title=Predators Assign 2014 First Rounder Kevin Fiala to Milwaukee|author=Nashville Predators|date=2015-01-16|website=NHL.com|accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref> He made his NHL debut during the season, on March 24, against the Montreal Canadiens.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2015/03/25/nashville-predators-montreal-canadiens-kevin-fiala/70414478/|title=Predators' Kevin Fiala impressive in NHL debut|last=Vingan|first=Adam|date=2015-03-24|work=The Tennessean|location=Nashville, Tennessee|accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref> He also appeared in one playoff game during the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/kevin-fiala-to-make-second-playoff-debut/c-288762896|title=Kevin Fiala to Make "Second" Playoff Debut|last=Willis|first=Thomas|date=2017-04-14|website=NHL.com|accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref> [[File:Larsson fiala 12 16-3 (53404702269).jpg|thumb|Fiala with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023.]]
He scored his first NHL goal on 14 January 2016, against Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nsh-vs-wpg/2016/01/14/2015020650 |title=Nashville Predators at Winnipeg Jets |website=Nashville Predators |date=2016-01-14 }}</ref> Spending most of the season with Milwaukee, he finished the year with 50 points in 66 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/kevin-fiala-knows-development-is-part-of-the-process/c-284629414|title=Fiala Knows Development is Part of the Process|last=Glennon|first=John|date=2016-12-13|website=NHL.com|accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref>
In the 2016–17 season, Fiala made the Predators opening night roster. In his rookie NHL season, Fiala appeared in 54 games and scored 11 goals. He was assigned to the Admirals throughout the year and recorded 19 points in 22 games. In the post-season, after a first round sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks, in which he collected two goals (including the overtime game winner in Game 3), Fiala suffered a broken left femur on 26 April 2017, playing in the opening game of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. In the second period of the game against the St. Louis Blues, Fiala's left knee collided with the end boards after being checked by St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo. Fiala was removed from the ice on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance and transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Fiala fractured his left femur thus ending his 2017 playoff participation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Predators' Kevin Fiala out for rest of playoffs with fractured femur |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2017/04/26/kevin-fiala-injury-boards-collision-video |website=si.com |accessdate=26 September 2018 |date=26 April 2017}}</ref>
During the 2018–19 season, having tallied 10 goals and 32 points in 64 games with the Predators, Fiala was traded at the trade deadline to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Mikael Granlund on 25 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/predators-acquire-granlund-from-wild-for-fiala-1.1263409|title=Predators acquire Granlund from Wild for Fiala |publisher = The Sports Network |date=2019-02-25 |access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref> On 11 September 2019, Fiala signed a two-year extension with the Wild.
On 16 August 2021, Fiala agreed to a one-year, $5.1 million contract with the Wild.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kevin-fiala-signing-update-news-status/c-325807230?tid=281072352|title=Fiala signs one-year, $5.1 million contract with Wild, avoids hearing|website=NHL.com|accessdate=16 August 2021}}</ref>
On 29 June 2022, Fiala as an impending restricted free agent was traded by the Wild to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Brock Faber and a first-round pick in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/kings-acquire-kevin-fiala-from-wild-for-first-round-pick-and-brock-faber/|title=Kings acquire Kevin Fiala from Wild for first-round pick and Brock Faber|date=June 29, 2022|accessdate=June 29, 2022}}</ref> After the trade, Fiala was immediately signed to a seven-year $55.125 million contract extension with the Kings.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/los-angeles-kings-minnesota-wild-kevin-fiala-brock-faber-1.1819156 | title = Kings acquire Fiala, sign him to seven-year deal | publisher = The Sports Network | date = 29 June 2022 | accessdate = 29 June 2022}}</ref>
On 5 January, Fiala was named to the 2023 NHL All Star Game, his first selection in his career. Although he saw a slight decrease in his point production, Fiala led the team in assists with 49, while teammate Adrian Kempe led in goals.
On 14 February 2026, it was announced that Fiala would miss the remainder of the 2025–26 NHL season after having surgery to fix an injury he suffered during the 2026 Winter Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/kings-kevin-fiala-done-for-season/ |title=Kings' Kevin Fiala: Done for season |website=CBSSports.com |date=February 14, 2026 |access-date=February 14, 2026}}</ref>
==International play== {{MedalTableTop|name = }} {{MedalCountry|{{SUI}}}} {{MedalSport|Ice hockey}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championships}} {{MedalSilver|2018 Denmark|}} {{MedalSilver|2024 Czechia|}} {{MedalSilver|2025 Sweden/Denmark|}} {{MedalBottom}} Fiala played in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in 2012 and 2013 as a member of the Swiss U18 national team. He also skated for his country at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he was lauded as one of the key players on the Swiss roster.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/4190875 | title = Holiday hockey is best to watch prospects | website = freep.com | date = 2014-05-15 | accessdate = 2014-05-15}}</ref> In five WJC games, he recorded one goal and four assists, as Switzerland was eliminated by Canada in the quarter-finals. In May 2014, Fiala represented Switzerland at the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Belarus, registering two assists in seven games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Fiala|url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=87971|website=Elite Prospects|accessdate=12 August 2014}}</ref> Fiala was the third player in history to play in the under-18, World Junior, and World Championship in the same year (the first two were Andrei Kostitsyn and Vadim Karaga, both with Belarus in 2003).<ref name="Hockey news">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/kevin-fiala-completes-swiss-hockey-trifecta|title=Kevin Fiala completes Swiss hockey trifecta|last=Campbell|first=Ken|date=2014-05-09|accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref>
Fiala also participated at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where the Swiss won silver. In the final against Sweden Fiala had a chance to clinch the gold in overtime but his shot went too low. After losing the shootout the Swiss had to settle for silver. He represented Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a silver medal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/52-swiss-ice-hockey/sui/iihf-worlds/37079-silver-it-is-czechia-beats-switzerland-in-the-world-championship-final |title=Silver it is - Czechia beats Switzerland in the World Championship final |website=swisshockeynews.ch |date=26 May 2024 |access-date=26 May 2024 |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528132302/https://swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/52-swiss-ice-hockey/sui/iihf-worlds/37079-silver-it-is-czechia-beats-switzerland-in-the-world-championship-final |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 15 June 2025, Fiala was selected for the Swiss 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/adrian-kempe-kevin-fiala-selected-to-2026-olympics-preliminary-rosters |title=Adrian Kempe (Sweden) & Kevin Fiala (Switzerland) selected to preliminary rosters for 2026 Olympics |date=June 16, 2025 |author=Jack Dooley |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 14, 2026}}</ref>
In 2026, during the third period of Team Switzerland's game against Team Canada on 13 February, Fiala and Canada's Tom Wilson collided near the boards. Fiala fell to the ice, was unable to skate off under his own power, and was stretchered off.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/13/kevin-fiala-injury-update-olympics-switzerland-canada-tom-wilson/88670458007/ |title=Kevin Fiala injury update: Swiss star out for Olympics with leg injury |website=USAToday.com |author=John Leuzzi |date=February 13, 2026 |access-date=February 14, 2026}}</ref> On 14 February, it was announced Fiala had undergone surgery and would miss the remainder of the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/kings-kevin-fiala-done-for-season/ |title=Kings' Kevin Fiala: Done for season |website=CBSSports.com |date=February 14, 2026 |access-date=February 14, 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Fiala is a native of St. Gallen, Switzerland, although both his parents are Czech.<ref>{{cite web|last=Manasso|first=John|title=Predators' Fiala part of upward trend in Swiss talent|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=726580|website=NHL.com|accessdate=2014-08-12}}</ref> His father, Jan, played professional hockey in the Swiss lower leagues. After retiring Jan turned to coaching, and was one of Fiala's first coaches.<ref name="Hockey news"/> Fiala is a polyglot who speaks five languages: Czech, English, French, German, and Swedish.<ref name="Sign"/>
==Career statistics== ===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2010–11 | ZSC Lions | SUI U17 | 25 || 10 || 10 || 20 || 14 | 7 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2011–12 | ZSC Lions | SUI U17 | 28 || 34 || 18 || 52 || 98 | 8 || 6 || 8 || 14 || 24 |- | 2011–12 | ZSC Lions | SUI.2 U20 | 7 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 8 | 4 || 3 || 2 || 5 || 18 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2011–12 | GCK Lions | SUI U20 | 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2012–13 | Malmö Redhawks | J18 | 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2012–13 | Malmö Redhawks | J18 Allsv | 8 || 5 || 4 || 9 || 28 | 4 || 4 || 3 || 7 || 4 |- | 2012–13 | Malmö Redhawks | J20 | 33 || 9 || 19 || 28 || 28 | 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2013–14 | HV71 | J20 | 27 || 10 || 15 || 25 || 40 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2013–14 | HV71 | SHL | 17 || 3 || 8 || 11 || 10 | 8 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 14 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014–15 | HV71 | SHL | 20 || 5 || 9 || 14 || 14 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2014–15 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 33 || 11 || 9 || 20 || 18 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014–15 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- | 2015–16 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 66 || 18 || 32 || 50 || 78 | 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2015–16 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 5 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2016–17 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 54 || 11 || 5 || 16 || 18 | 5 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016–17 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 22 || 7 || 12 || 19 || 45 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2017–18 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 80 || 23 || 25 || 48 || 26 | 12 || 3 || 1 || 4 || 8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 64 || 10 || 22 || 32 || 26 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2018–19 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 19 || 3 || 4 || 7 || 10 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 64 || 23 || 31 || 54 || 42 | 4 || 3 || 1 || 4 || 10 |- | 2020–21 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 50 || 20 || 20 || 40 || 43 | 7 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 82 || 33 || 52 || 85 || 52 | 6 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 16 |- | 2022–23 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 69 || 23 || 49 || 72 || 52 | 3 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 82 || 29 || 44 || 73 || 62 | 5 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 4 |- | 2024–25 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 81 || 35 || 25 || 60 || 38 | 6 || 3 || 4 || 7 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025–26 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 56 || 18 || 22 || 40 || 34 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | SHL totals ! 37 !! 8 !! 17 !! 25 !! 24 ! 8 !! 1 !! 5 !! 6 !! 14 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 707 !! 229 !! 299 !! 528 !! 403 ! 49 !! 14 !! 16 !! 30 !! 46 |}
===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#fff"| ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2012 | Switzerland | IH18 | 6th | 4 || 3 || 0 || 3 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2013 | Switzerland | IH18 | 6th | 4 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 12 |- | 2014 | Switzerland | WJC | 7th | 5 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 6 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014 | Switzerland | U18 | 7th | 5 || 4 || 5 || 9 || 8 |- | 2014 | Switzerland | WC | 10th | 7 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2015 | Switzerland | WJC | 9th | 6 || 4 || 1 || 5 || 16 |- | 2015 | Switzerland | WC | 8th | 8 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 6 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018 | Switzerland | WC | {{silver2}} | 5 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 6 |- | 2019 | Switzerland | WC | 8th | 8 || 4 || 3 || 7 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023 | Switzerland | WC | 5th | 6 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 4 |- | 2024 | Switzerland | WC | {{silver2}} | 8 || 7 || 6 || 13 || 27 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025 | Switzerland | WC | {{silver2}} | 8 || 3 || 7 || 10 || 8 |- | 2026 | Switzerland | OG | 5th | 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan=4 | Junior totals ! 24 !! 14 !! 10 !! 24 !! 44 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan=4 | Senior totals ! 52 !! 17 !! 30 !! 47 !! 55 |}
==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL |- | NHL All-Star Game | 2023 | |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|International |- | IIHF World Championship MVP | 2024 | <ref name="2024WC">{{cite web |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wm/news/61719/fiala_is_mvp |title=Fiala is MVP |last=Potts |first=Andy |publisher=iihf.com |date=26 May 2024}}</ref> |- | IIHF World Championship Best Forward | 2024 | <ref name="2024WC" /> |- | IIHF World Championship All-Star Team | 2024 | <ref name="2024WC" /> |}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}} * [http://www.shl.se/roster/HV71/5153 Kevin Fiala's SHL profile]{{dead link|date=May 2026}} * [https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/athlete-details/48359 Kevin Fiala] at Milano Cortina 2026 * {{Olympics.com|kevin-fiala}} * {{Olympedia}} * {{InterSportStats}} * {{Official website}}<!-- per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only -->
{{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = Seth Jones | title = Nashville Predators first-round draft pick | years = 2014 | after = Dante Fabbro }} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fiala, Kevin}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Swiss ice hockey forwards Category:HV71 players Category:Los Angeles Kings players Category:Milwaukee Admirals players Category:Minnesota Wild players Category:Nashville Predators draft picks Category:Nashville Predators players Category:NHL first-round draft picks Category:Olympic ice hockey players for Switzerland Category:Ice hockey players at the 2026 Winter Olympics Category:Swiss people of Czech descent Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in Sweden Category:Swiss expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Category:Expatriate ice hockey players in Sweden Category:Ice hockey people from the canton of St. Gallen Category:Sportspeople from St. Gallen (city)